The Midwest can be a dreary place—one finds that out fairly quickly after experiencing a few Ohio thunderstorms. But every once in a while, a little flicker of sunshine peeps through the grey clouds and brightens up the heart of America—however, The Zou just does not happens to be one of those little rays.
It is slightly easier to call them a little black cloud of epic rawness.
While reasonably talented, The Youngstown-based “nouveau rock” group is pretty dark—with song titles like “Nothing Beat’s a Hanging” and “Sleazy”, they definitely are not your upbeat bubblegum-pop band. But despite being cynical and sneering, The Zou brings an eclectic, bittersweet to the table that is part rock, part blues, and pure genius.
Who They Are
Headed by Khaled Tabbara on organ (yes, organ!) and vocals, The Zou also features guitarist Rob Thorndike, Murad Ghazi Shorrab on bass, and Dean Anshutz on percussion. An ambitious crew, the men have already completed two 2008 tours, and have totaled over 300 live performances. The Zou pulls from a wide spectrum of influences, ranging anywhere from Sonic Youth to Wilco, which allows them to incorporate a vast array of styles and sounds into a euphoric blend that is experimental and familiar all at the same time.
The Sound
The overall sound of The Zou could be compared to that of major names, such as Blue October, Modest Mouse and the Violent Femmes. Although the musical technique sometimes borders on the safe side, they are anything but tame. The Zou is unusually musically diverse for a rock group, which means that time will only ripen and expand what they have to offer. Eventually some of the predictable rhythms might evolve into something a little more radical, but the individual character of the music is solid and unclassifiable. Tabbara’s vocals lend a vintage feel to the albums, which make them easily recognizable in a sea of young screamo-and-emo acts.
The Pinebox EP (Deluxe Edition), one of two releases put out by the group, is a great way to be introduced to the endearing grittiness of band. This little piece of work proudly showcases the ugly sides and biting lyrics, the art in misery and the beauty in a good, steely guitar solo. “A Boy like Me” is a hard-driven tune scruffy enough to be bordering on punk, with heavy guitar and a basic core percussion drive. A great old-fashioned piano ditty opens up “Thank You, Muse”, which is a charming, harmony-rich track that is unusually sweet for the ensemble. “The Pinebox” is a little more along the lines of the signature Zou sound—eerie electric guitars, beefy rhythms and a healthy dash of organ and Tabbara’s uniquely high vocals.
Last Thoughts
The Pinebox EP appeals to the typical artsy and emotionally-deviant Indie connoisseur, but it also lures in those with a jaded ear that could use a pick-me up. The Zou is unique enough that even those who typically do not buy into the underground scene could be tempted, yet not so weird that it repulses garage-grunge die-hards. Particularly a good listen for when the world gets on the nerves and love is found to be an obnoxious myth, The Zou is a must-have for the bitter pessimists of the Heartland states.
